Danes eliminate Cameroon

However, Cameroon, Africa's modern World Cup trailblazers, became the first African side eliminated from the continent's inaugural tournament when they somehow lost 2-1 to Denmark.

The Indomitable Lions, the country that first alerted the world to the improvement in African soccer when they qualified for their first finals in Spain in 1982 and reached the quarter-finals in 1990, are out after this defeat followed their opening 1-0 loss to Japan.

Miserable start for France

France failed to rise to the occasion again with a lacklustre performance in a tepid 0-0 draw with Uruguay.

France, runners up four years ago, had the chance to stamp their authority on the group by beating one of the outsiders. Instead, after an encouraging start, they lost their way completely, barely tested goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and failed even to take advantage of an 81st-minute red card for Uruguay substitute Nicolas Lodeiro.